Dreaming about a sustainable vacation that gives back to the local community and environment.

With more than 97% of travellers revealing it’s essential for their vacation dollars to positively impact the communities they visit (Kind Traveler 2022 Impact Tourism Report) and 55% of Americans forfeiting vacation days each year, it has never been easier to dream big and plan a vacation that creates not only meaningful memories, necessary relaxation and mental health benefits but also a lasting community impact.

Just in time for National Plan for Vacation Day on Jan. 31, the first statewide regenerative travel program launches with Visit California & Kind Traveler, sharing a wave of new opportunities for travellers to make a positive impact in the communities they visit while unlocking exclusive offers from more than 58 iconic hotels across 12 stunning destinations in the Golden State – with 38 brand-new hotels and impact opportunities for 2023.

By booking a hotel with Kind Traveler, travellers can now travel kindly and support more than 25 California-based, vetted charities advancing community well-being and environmental sustainability.

The way it works is simple: Through Kind Traveler’s Give + Get hotel booking and education platform, travellers unlock exclusive offers from participating Kind Hotels with a $10 or more donation to a local charity that positively impacts the community they are visiting or to another charity of choice on the platform.

Travellers receive positive impact metrics with every booking to learn how their travel dollars support the local community and local neighbourhood guides to inspire conscious travel and tree-planting opportunities.

“As the first state to partner with Kind Traveler on a statewide regenerative travel program, we are thrilled to kick off 2023 by encouraging travelers to not only plan a trip to California, but to plan one that gives back to our communities,” said Caroline Beteta, president & CEO of Visit California.  “Responsible and sustainable tourism is about ensuring that travel benefits both the visitors and the communities they visit. With every booking, travelers will provide a direct benefit to communities across California.”

For example, a $10 donation to Farm to Pantry in Sonoma County will provide 23 servings of produce for those facing food insecurity. In Monterey County, a $10 donation to Rancho Cielo Youth Campus will support 1/3 of the daily cost of a young person’s education. 100% of donations are given to the selected charity.

Discover the new opportunities for 2023 to plan your vacation and travel kindly in the Golden State:

Los Angeles Travel & Convention Board

Hotels: Hotel Erwin, Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown, an IHG Hotel, Hotel Per La, Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX, The Garland; Impact Partners: Marine Mammal Care Center LA, Midnight Mission, spcaLA, Venice Family Clinic.

Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Hotels: Bernardus Lodge & Spa, Post Ranch Inn, The Sanctuary Beach Resort; Impact Partner: Rancho Cielo Youth Campus.

North Lake Tahoe & Visit Lake Tahoe

Hotels: PlumpJack Inn, The Landing Tahoe Resort & Spa; Impact Partners: Take Care Tahoe & UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center.

Santa Monica Travel & Tourism

Hotels: Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, Hotel Casa Del Mar, Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites, Le Merigot Santa Monica Hotel, Pierside Hotel, Santa Monica Proper Hotel, Shutters on the Beach, The Ambrose Hotel Santa Monica, The Shore Hotel Santa Monica, Viceroy Santa Monica; Impact Partner: Santa MoniCARES.

Sonoma County Tourism:

Hotels: The Lodge at Bodega Bay, The Stavrand; Additionally, The Stavrand, The Gables Wine Country Inn, Wildhaven Sonoma and are amongst the first hotels in California to enrol in Kind Traveler’s new community impact certification, Every Stay Gives Back (launching Feb 2023). Impact Partners: Charlie’s Acres Farm Animal Sanctuary, Farm to Pantry, Pepperwood Preserve.

Visit Greater Palm Springs

Hotels: Azure Sky Hotel, Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs, Miramonte Resort & Spa, The Good House. Impact Partner: Friends of the Desert Mountains, The LGBTQ+ Community Center of the Desert.

Visit Oakland

Hotels: Kissel Uptown Oakland – The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, Moxy Oakland Downtown, Oakland Marriott City Center; Impact Partner: Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation.

Additional hotels and charities throughout California:

Hotels: Allegretto Vineyard Resort, Brannan Cottage Inn, Carneros Resort and Spa, Holbrooke Hotel, Hotel San Luis Obispo, North Block Hotel, The National Exchange; Impact Partners: Bear Yuba Land Trust, Napa Land Trust, Surfrider Foundation SLO Chapter.

“We are delighted to mobilize the first statewide regenerative travel program in partnership with Visit California, creating 38 new opportunities for travelers to give back and make a positive impact in communities across the state,” said Jessica Blotter, Co-Founder & CEO of Kind Traveler. “While giving back to charities connected to destination wellbeing helps California create a sustainable future, studies share that it’s also related to higher levels of trip satisfaction.”

A Kind Destination: California.

Set across 12 distinct regions, California proudly boasts nine National Parks (the most of any state), 30 National Forests, 840 miles of diverse coastline, 37 natural landmarks, 147 National Historical Landmarks, 280+ State Park units, 3 World Heritage Sites, and 49.2 million acres of protected lands.

Through Visit California’s seven guiding principles for tourism sustainability and a responsible travel code for visitors, Visit California recognizes the importance of encouraging destination stewardship efforts to preserve its iconic beauty and communities. Innovative by nature, Visit California is the first state DMO to mobilize Kind Traveler’s Kind Destination Program in advancing destination stewardship and sustainable & regenerative travel.

Infusing tourism with the principles of stewardship is the key to the longevity of travel in California.

Written by: Jill Walsh

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